Terez Paylor's Chiefs' Draft Needs

[Tribal Warfare]

My AFC draft needs series concludes with the AFC West, home of the Super Bowl champs and the three teams tasked with thwarting their attempt to "run it back":https://t.co/GBiQjeHqGP pic.twitter.com/VJIJqnBTsL

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) April 16, 2020

Positions needed: RB, G, C, LB, CB

Analysis: The defending Super Bowl champions head into 2020 with a motto of “run it back,” and the team’s offseason plan has reflected that. Kansas City re-signed several key players from its championship team, betting on continuity in a COVID-19-affected season as the Chiefs currently have everyone who played at least 57 percent of the snaps last season under contract for 2020. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room to strengthen the roster.

Offensively, the Chiefs are powered by an explosive offense guided by Mahomes, but there’s a need to bolster the interior of the line to grow with Mahomes and help protect him for the next decade. Beyond that, Super Bowl hero Damien Williams returns to man the running back position, but he’s in a contract year and the team could draft a young back and groom him to take the reins in 2021. Defensively, the Chiefs need second-level help — a sideline-to-sideline linebacker with skills in pass coverage could carve out an immediate role — while the cornerback position would also benefit from the infusion of a top-100 draft pick. And with Mahomes’ massive extension looming, don’t be surprised if Kansas City entertains a trade down in the first round in an attempt to stockpile more cost-controlled assets.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

But I refuse to believe that Brett Veach doesn't take need into consideration. If they have a TE at #25 on their board and a CB/LB/RB at #30 on their board, do you really think they're going to take the TE because he's ranked just a little higher? I guess you believe that, I don't.

I believe they would have a heated discussion for sure. Kelce will be 31 this upcoming season and the Chiefs have little behind him. If Kelce is out for several weeks, the offense changes considerably.

The Chiefs don't need a Top 5 defense to win the Super Bowl but they do need a Top 5 Offense to win the Super Bowl.

Take away Kelce and it becomes that much more difficult.

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

I think they take the position that fills a need.

The Chiefs most pressing needs are RB, LB, WR and CB, IMO. There's a bit of a dropoff between Round 1 & 2 RB's, not a whole lot between WR's, the linebacking position is one the Chiefs just don't seem to value like you do and the CB position could use some depth but their starters are essentially set.

I'd expect there to be a debate but in the end, they'll take the BPA.

It doesn't make sense to take the 8th rated LB when the 3rd or 4th rated RB is on the board.

[smithandrew051]

It’s much easier to make the argument for BPA for this Chiefs team. The holes aren’t as bad as most teams. If we have a weak spot, it’s essentially the same positions as last year and we won a Super Bowl with that. Great position to be in.

[Kiimo]

If Claypool is sitting there at our 2nd pick I'm saying screw need, let's run 60 point per game on this country

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Again, why are there only 2 options you're considering? It doesn't have to be 100% BPA or 100% need.

I agree, doing what the Cowboys did in 2017 and saying they had to take Taco Charlton because they needed a DE led to them drafting a bust. Don't zero in on a single position.

But I refuse to believe that Brett Veach doesn't take need into consideration. If they have a TE at #25 on their board and a CB/LB/RB at #30 on their board, do you really think they're going to take the TE because he's ranked just a little higher? I guess you believe that, I don't. I think they take the position that fills a need. Now if they had a TE ranked top 10 on their board and he somehow falls to #32, then yeah I do think there's a possibility he would be the pick as it's too good of a value to pass up. But under the assumption that doesn't happen, and they have a bunch of players ranked in a similar manner, my belief is that positional need would help to determine which player they take.

It’s much more likely that 25 isn’t really 5 “spots” ahead of 30. So, BPA could literally be either.

[OKchiefs]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I believe they would have a heated discussion for sure. Kelce will be 31 this upcoming season and the Chiefs have little behind him. If Kelce is out for several weeks, the offense changes considerably.

The Chiefs don't need a Top 5 defense to win the Super Bowl but they do need a Top 5 Offense to win the Super Bowl.

Take away Kelce and it becomes that much more difficult.



The Chiefs most pressing needs are RB, LB, WR and CB, IMO. There's a bit of a dropoff between Round 1 & 2 RB's, not a whole lot between WR's, the linebacking position is one the Chiefs just don't seem to value like you do and the CB position could use some depth but their starters are essentially set.

I'd expect there to be a debate but in the end, they'll take the BPA.

It doesn't make sense to take the 8th rated LB when the 3rd or 4th rated RB is on the board.

I also believe the Chiefs take the entire pool of available players into consideration. Veach was quoted yesterday on positions that had good depth in the draft. If you have 2 players ranked in a similar manner, but one of the positions has good depth available and you think you can get another player later in the draft, I see Veach taking the position that drops off in the later rounds.

I just think there are a lot more variables and teams take many things into consideration beyond BPA, such as:

- current need
- future need
- positional value
- age and contracts of current players
- depth in the draft at other positions
- free agents still on the market
- etc.

And I also don't agree that the Chiefs don't value linebacker like I do. Several people have posted about how the Chiefs may have taken a linebacker in the 1st in 2017 if they hadn't taken Mahomes. They gave a pretty large contract to Hitchens for a team that supposedly doesn't value linebacker. They spent a 3rd on DOD. I do believe they value linebacker and their experience the last 2 years of teams beating them to death with passes to tight ends and runningbacks in the flats and short to intermediate zones has taught them the value of having linebackers that can cover.

[BryanBusby]

2017? Different GM and DC there.

[Shields68]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Again, why are there only 2 options you're considering? It doesn't have to be 100% BPA or 100% need.

I agree, doing what the Cowboys did in 2017 and saying they had to take Taco Charlton because they needed a DE led to them drafting a bust. Don't zero in on a single position.

But I refuse to believe that Brett Veach doesn't take need into consideration. If they have a TE at #25 on their board and a CB/LB/RB at #30 on their board, do you really think they're going to take the TE because he's ranked just a little higher? I guess you believe that, I don't. I think they take the position that fills a need. Now if they had a TE ranked top 10 on their board and he somehow falls to #32, then yeah I do think there's a possibility he would be the pick as it's too good of a value to pass up. But under the assumption that doesn't happen, and they have a bunch of players ranked in a similar manner, my belief is that positional need would help to determine which player they take.

I agree it is never 100% of either. Think there is always a number of players who are very close together and position need is the deciding factor. Even Veech said he was looking a couple years down the road on the selections. Which indicate that positions and future contracts are a consideration.

Though it is funny that the op and those in favor of taking RB talk about BPA but really their main argument is that the Chiefs are in need of RB.

[OKchiefs]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

2017? Different GM and DC there.

Sure, but I don't think Veach is just a complete 180 from how Dorsey did things. Sure there are differences, but likely a lot of similarities. And Andy is still the coach and we all know he has a big say on the personnel side.

I just see no reason to believe this team can experience the deficiencies we have had on defense the last 2 years or more defending passes to RBs and TEs and not believe linebacker is big need. If the board just doesn't workout then fine, so be it. But do any of you really think they're content with Niemann joining Hitchens and Wilson in the starting lineup? That's probably a bottom 5 linebacker group in the NFL and the biggest culprit for our problems on defense. The DL is great, S are great, CB are likely passable in 2020 with the signing of Breeland and assuming we don't have multiple injuries. LB is the one position on defense that isn't anywhere close to being acceptable.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Again, why are there only 2 options you're considering? It doesn't have to be 100% BPA or 100% need.

I agree, doing what the Cowboys did in 2017 and saying they had to take Taco Charlton because they needed a DE led to them drafting a bust. Don't zero in on a single position.

But I refuse to believe that Brett Veach doesn't take need into consideration. If they have a TE at #25 on their board and a CB/LB/RB at #30 on their board, do you really think they're going to take the TE because he's ranked just a little higher? I guess you believe that, I don't. I think they take the position that fills a need. Now if they had a TE ranked top 10 on their board and he somehow falls to #32, then yeah I do think there's a possibility he would be the pick as it's too good of a value to pass up. But under the assumption that doesn't happen, and they have a bunch of players ranked in a similar manner, my belief is that positional need would help to determine which player they take.

I think that’s really what Dane is advocating there.

Teams typically place some type of grade (1A/early first, 1B, mid first, etc) on players. Each team has its own list of players it consider true first-round talents.

They then follow that list and compare it to team needs.

Cesar Ruiz might be #30 on their board compared to Swift at #22, which doesn’t seem like a lot... unless their first round grades stop @ 22.

If you have two guys with the same grade/score, yeah, need factors in.

Smart teams just don’t drop down grades to draft for need.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

False



Also False



Speculation



False

Never draft for need. Take the best player available.

Thanks!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Thanks!

[Easy 6]

If we can get Shane Lemieux in the third or fourth, everything else will be gravy IMO

His pass blocking needs refined, but that’s what we pay Heck for... otherwise he sounds perfect

“Brings the attitude of a mauler, but possesses good movement skills as well. He’s at his best pulling around as a lead blocker, where he shows the nimble feet, balance, and vision to rip open running lanes. Thrives on physicality and violence, looking to punish defenders and always finishes hard. He can fire off the LOS and drive defenders back with pure lower body power. In pass protection he plays with his head on a swivel, with the quick feet and set to adjust quickly to stunts.”

That’s what I’m talking about, a mauler with quick feet and finesse skills... we NEED some angry on this line

[FAX]

Perhaps it's time that Veachy bucks the trend, pulls the ejection-seat-lever of precedent, violates all generally-accepted tradition, and drafts someone we have no need for whatsoever ...

Psychologically, that could throw the rest of the league into a tizzy the likes of which we have never before witnessed.

The move could then well lead all the other copycat teams to execute their own series of bizarrely unthinkable picks throughout the 2nd and 3rd which, in turn, allows the best players to fall to us to the 4th.

FAX

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

If we can get Shane Lemieux in the third or fourth, everything else will be gravy IMO

His pass blocking needs refined, but that’s what we pay Heck for... otherwise he sounds perfect

“Brings the attitude of a mauler, but possesses good movement skills as well. He’s at his best pulling around as a lead blocker, where he shows the nimble feet, balance, and vision to rip open running lanes. Thrives on physicality and violence, looking to punish defenders and always finishes hard. He can fire off the LOS and drive defenders back with pure lower body power. In pass protection he plays with his head on a swivel, with the quick feet and set to adjust quickly to stunts.”

That’s what I’m talking about, a mauler with quick feet and finesse skills... we NEED some angry on this line

plus we seem to like them guards with french names!

I don't know though. Seems like we need some polacks in there. Some 'skis'. Wiesniewski's gone you know.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by OKchiefs

Sure, but I don't think Veach is just a complete 180 from how Dorsey did things. Sure there are differences, but likely a lot of similarities. And Andy is still the coach and we all know he has a big say on the personnel side.

I just see no reason to believe this team can experience the deficiencies we have had on defense the last 2 years or more defending passes to RBs and TEs and not believe linebacker is big need. If the board just doesn't workout then fine, so be it. But do any of you really think they're content with Niemann joining Hitchens and Wilson in the starting lineup? That's probably a bottom 5 linebacker group in the NFL and the biggest culprit for our problems on defense. The DL is great, S are great, CB are likely passable in 2020 with the signing of Breeland and assuming we don't have multiple injuries. LB is the one position on defense that isn't anywhere close to being acceptable.

From what I can tell, they are way different. Can't agree at all with that assessment.